Social Times - Latest Comments in Twitter Cuts Overhead, Raises Money

Re: Twitter Cuts Overhead, Raises Money

Matthew Brown — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:17:16 -0000

I'm sure there is an ad solution in there somewhere whether its co-branding or some form of integrated advertising. And I would disagree that Twitter hasn't crossed the chasm - their product is on main street, however, they aren't charging for it.

Re: Twitter Cuts Overhead, Raises Money

unleashvideo — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:59:07 -0000

You have to wonder if people don't want to pay for Twitter, and then go to a free service, how long can that free service keep going without a business model. Is Twitter going to run into the same problem as XM/Sirius where there is no profit in sight, but the attention and interest is there?

I think Twitter should go to some sort of an ad solution, keep it free for users, and allow the corporations to market their brand and help to save Twitter. Imagine how hardcore Twitter users would feel about the "hero corp." saving Twitter!

I'm sure someone or some company will step up and keep Twitter going before anyone has to pay $5-10/month for the service.

This also reminds me a bit of Wikipedia where they were almost going to shut down. I think it's good that people are aware of problems like these, because a solution is always just around the corner.

Re: Twitter Cuts Overhead, Raises Money

srini kumar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:54:21 -0000

twitter hasn't crossed the chasm yet. a twitter pro option (with what features?) would work, but everyone-must-pay would screw it up. twitter is a growing company and its management should prioritize its eternal soul over the need to make quick ROI.

Re: Twitter Cuts Overhead, Raises Money

acafourek — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:48:40 -0000

Posed the question "Would you pay for twitter?" to a coworker after I said I would definitely shell out some $$ for it, but his response was that there are too many free options out there to justify any expense. Then I realized he was right...and if twitter starts charging, it is likely that a huge flock will move from twitter to Pownce or Jaiku.

And twitter does not independently offer me anything special...except an audience to both listen to and to talk to. So while I would pay for access to that audience, I will likely just follow them wherever they go rather than get left behind in a big empty room all by myself.

Re: Twitter Cuts Overhead, Raises Money

Jeremy Herbel — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:34:43 -0000

I really don't see how Twitter could go to a pay model and continue with the same atmosphere. By excluding people that don't want to pay, you'd lose a lot of the chatter. Granted, a lot of that chatter is noise, but there's still a lot of good out there too. Most of the people I follow wouldn't be willing to pay, and I've picked up a lot from them that I'd miss in a pay system. Also, as soon as Twitter went to a pay model, I think people would just find another service, or another free one would come along. Part of Twitter's appeal is the ability for anyone and everyone to use it.